Media Release

For Immediate Release

May 25, 2006

Liberal Party Unveils Post-Secondary Plan at Saint Mary’s

NS Liberal Leader Francis MacKenzie: "Our Future - Our Students."

The Liberal Party of Nova Scotia (NS) made a campaign stop at Saint Mary’s University this morning where they announced their plans to invest in the province’s higher education system.

For those wishing to read other party platforms on higher education, click on the following links:

Conservative Party of NS

NDP Party of NS

Green Party of NS

Voters in the province will take to the polls to elect a new government on June 13, 2006, and provincial parties – Conservative, Green, Liberal and NDP – are now busy announcing various promises in order to sway voters to their camps.

“The greatest threat to a prosperous Nova Scotia is the consequences that will result as graduates leave the province,” said Francis MacKenzie (MBA ‘92) during a news conference held at the front steps of the University’s McNally Building.

During the announcement, the party leader was flanked by other Liberal hopefuls vying for a seat in the Provincial Legislature and students from local universities in Halifax. Members of the Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association (SMUSA) also attended this morning’s news conference.

“A Liberal Government is ready to act,” he said. “We want to help all Nova Scotia graduates – college and university – build a career and a life in Nova Scotia. We recognize the province’s future economic success depends on the talent of our educated youth.”

Highlights from today’s announcement, "Our Future - Our Students" include:

- Family income under $125,000 qualifies for student assistance
- Fully refundable tax credit of $2,000 per university graduates; $1,000 per community college graduate
- Students who graduate between January 1, 2004 and September 1, 2006 qualify for a 50% tax credit
- Completion Bonus – 2006-07 ($600); 2007-08 ($700); 2008-09 ($800); 2009-10 ($900).

Zach Churchill, President of SMUSA, attended this morning’s event and indicated that he is encouraged by Liberal initiatives in regards to post-secondary education. However, the 22 year-old student leader noted that the Liberal Party should also address a major issue affecting students in Nova Scotia: accessibility.

“It is important that the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia recognized the need for infrastructure funding in this province, and it is encouraging to see a funding proposal that provides students with financial support over the course of their degree,” he said.

“This plan, however, does not address the issue of accessibility. It does not help students who have been identified as high need or low income or those who come from other underrepresented groups in our society.”

Still however, Churchill is optimistic that as the campaign trail moves on, the Liberal Party and other provincial parties will address the issue of accessibility.

The University anticipates that other provincial leaders and candidates will immerse themselves on the University campus in order to pledge their commitment to higher education, and news of such activity will be posted on the University’s website (News Release Section).

Saint Mary's University is known for its community outreach projects, both in Canada and around the world. Saint Mary's, founded in 1802, is home to one of Canada's leading business schools, a Science Faculty widely known for its cutting-edge research, a comprehensive and innovative Arts Faculty and a vibrant Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

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For More Information:

Paul Fitzgerald
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: paul.fitzgerald@smu.ca
www.smu.ca